A/N: Thanks to Heaven's littlest Angel, Redlady and Princess Pixie Sugar
Stix for reviews!
Christmas 1954
"Well, I am very glad you decided to stay." One of Charles's relatives apologised for her husband's behaviour.
"I'm glad too, I'm very happy here." I smiled across the room at my future husband. It was a large Christmas party, and there were many people here, a lot I'd met before, but many I didn't know. Charles caught the smile and came across the room, sliding an arm around my waist.
"I was just saying how wonderful it is that Annabelle decided to stay with you." She smiled. "I'm very happy that she decided to stay."
"Not as elated as I was when she said she would stay Aunt Elaine." Charles smiled.
"Of course not. I love your dress Annabelle, it's beautiful who made it?" If you were of any importance you got all your clothes made specially.
"Well I did." I admitted with a laugh. The dress wasn't overly fancy, just a slim, straight dress of pale mauve, hiding any pregnancy changes. My hair was pulled away from my face and amethyst earrings, a welcome-back gift from Nora, fell from my ears. The matching necklace a gift in the same sprit from Diana hung at my throat.
"You are very clever! Charles, you picked your wife very well." Elaine smiled.
"Thankyou Aunt Elaine." Charles and I said simultaneously, blushing. The party went on merrily, and everyone it seemed approved of me as a future Winchester now, despite the 8year difference, he was 36 while I was 28.
I lay against him that night, while he lazily stroked my hair. I felt more comfortable and safe than I had in a long time, in fact, the safest since I'd been divorced.
"Are you aware my darling, that it is only 12 days until we wed?" Charles murmured. I sighed a sleepy reply.
"Tired my love?" Charles asked with a soft laugh.
"Partied out you could say Charlie dear." I replied.
"Shh, sleep my sweet." Charles kissed my head, and soon, safe in his adoration, I fell asleep.
Not surprisingly, the 12 days to our wedding passed quickly, with all the massive preparations, it was a Winchester wedding and had to be big. My family also arrived just after New Year so they could see the wedding and they were staying with us. Chris, Jeremy and Joseph however stayed where they lived because they couldn't miss work.
The wedding day dawned early, as I was getting married at 11am. I had the entire fourth floor to myself and my wedding party, Margaret maid of honour, Charles's cousin Joan's daughters Juliet and Veronica, Nora, Alice, Lily, Mimi, Eve, and flowergirls Grace and Joan's daughter, Esmerelda. Mum and Rae chose not to be part of the group, wanting only to watch me get married.
On the third floor, Charles was busy with his groomsmen, Joan's son George, his cousins Edward, Henry and William, and his friends, Louis, Anthony, and Phillip. The best man was Joan's husband funnily enough named Charles. There were also two beautiful pageboys, in the form of Joan's youngest son, Vincent who was Grace's age and at my request Matthew, who was three months younger than Esmerelda.
The first floor, everything was a rush to get the house prepared for the reception, which was to be held there, after a massive wedding at the Presbyterian Church and lunch at a very expensive hotel somewhere. Clarissa and Giles, the housekeeper and the butler were scuttling everywhere, scullery maids and everyone in a mad rush. Diana, Charles II, Mum, Patrick and my twins, occupied the second floor, as they got ready.
"Let me see!" I demanded of my bridesmaids. Silk gowns the red-purple of wine, I knew would suit Margaret and my sisters, but I had been unsure of the colour on Juliet. Fortunately she had blonde hair, and shining blue eyes, and she too, looked wonderful. The dresses had short, capped sleeves and a scooped neckline. The bodices had been individually tailored to fit them, and complemented even Eve's chubby figure. The bodice finished in a v- line at the waist and from there a full skirt fell to the floor, moving softly when the wearer walked.
Being younger, Alice and Veronica, who were both about 14, had different dresses. They were made in a style more common to teenagers. Their dresses were cream, and the tight sleeves reached Alice and Ronnie's elbows, with a band of the burgundy at the bottom, the bodice was not so tightly fitted with burgundy buttons down the back, they had a small collar too, that was burgundy as well. From the waist, a very full, calf-length skirt fell in the shame shade as the other dresses, showing off both Alice and Ronnie's long, slim legs.
However, without a doubt, Grace and Esmerelda's dresses were the cutest. Basically the same as Alice and Ronnie's, except the skirt was cream, and shorter and had a burgundy sash around the middle. The sleeves were lace, and very short, bunched at the shoulders, there were a lot of frills and ruffles under the skirt, which made it almost stand out straight, but undeniably had both four-year-olds looking beautiful.
"You look wonderful!" I kissed them all. Their hair was all done the same, buns pulled straight back, with burgundy roses arranged in a semi-circle around the top half of the bun. Alice and Ronnie, with identical long blonde curls had their hair in a ponytail tied with a burgundy ribbon that hung to the bottom of their hair, between their shoulders. Mum had curled Grace's hair so it matched Esmerelda's, and they both had wreaths in their hair.
"It's very nearly time you got ready." Margaret warned.
"Oh, yes I suppose so." I laughed, and then giggled.
"Well, let us see the dress." Margaret ordered. I walked into the bride's private dressing room. On a mannequin, was my absolutely breathtaking dress. It was white, and had a tight silk bodice, with white flowers embroidered all over. It had a high neck, no sleeves and everything above the breasts was lace, so it was prettily revealing. I had no idea how many layers there were to the skirt, all I knew was there was a lot. The top layer was open in front; revealing layer after layer of beautiful lace, and around the edge of this layer, tiny little diamantes sparkled in the morning light. The dress laced up in the back, so it would complement my slim and slightly pregnant figure, there was also a long train that would sweep behind me when I walked.
"Wow!" Alice gasped breathlessly. "It's beautiful Annie."
"As beautiful as you my darling." I smiled at her. There was a knock at the door then, and Clarissa apologetically poked her head in.
"I'm terribly sorry to interrupt Miss Anne, but there is a visitor downstairs, I did tell him to go, but he requested that he see you. It's a Mr Pierce, will you see him?"
"Yes I will Clarissa, thankyou. Bring him up here, I can't go down in this." I was wearing a lace up slip that was in effect, a corset, I didn't need it, but it was part of the dress.
"Yes Miss." She bobbed a curtsey and disappeared.
"Someone find my robe, and I suggest you make yourselves scarce ladies, if you don't want him to see you before the wedding." I said as Margaret helped me into my robe. They disappeared into the library and in a minute or two Clarissa and Hawkeye reappeared.
"Thankyou Clarissa, call me in five minutes please." The maid nodded and left.
"Annie you look wonderful!" Hawkeye said, sincerely I could tell.
"What are you here for? I know you were invited to the wedding, but why have you come, here, to see me before the ceremony?" I asked.
"Because Anne, I wanted to let you know privately how happy I am for you and how I hope that everything goes well. I always knew he loved you Anne, and to that, I hope you're very happy. I may have been cold, uninterested, even rude about it, but I am happy for you, very happy, you have my blessing."
"Thankyou Hawkeye, I'm glad you feel that way." I smiled. "I really have to get ready, it's going to take a while to get into my dress, and I have yet to finish my hair." I had had my hair cut a little and it was currently in curlers just to get it all going the same way.
"Good luck, I'll see you at the church, do I sit with the bride or groom?"
"Tell him war buddy, the 4077th have their own spot near the front." I grinned, and accepted a warm hug. "Now get out of here. The twins are with Mum and Diana on the second floor if you want to see them." Clarissa came in then, announcing that we had been five minutes and Hawkeye left.
"Let's do the hair." Margaret slowly let out the curls, so they hung down my back. Then she scooped the top up with a comb and fastened a tiara that I had been asked to wear as it was a Winchester heirloom, in the hair, the rest fell freely down my back to my shoulder blades. It was a simple and pretty hairstyle, which suited the dress.
"Please Miss Anne, Mrs Winchester wants you to know that there is half an hour before you have to leave." Clarissa informed us quietly. "And if I may take the liberty to speak freely, your hair looks wonderful."
"Thankyou Clarissa," I smiled warmly at her.
"I think, that meant we'd better get you into a dress and made up." Margaret said with a smile. Carefully, and slowly I was dressed, taking pains not to muss my hair, which was easily redone, but currently looking perfect and on no guarantee to do so if restyled. Mimi a very talented girl then made everyone up, as the cars for the men arrived. Our cars were only a minute or two away. Margaret lastly fixed the veil, a huge thing, that trailed on the ground, and in front covered my face enough to leave my identity a mystery.
"Can I have lick stick too?" Grace asked, tugging gently on my skirt.
"Yes, and you too Esmerelda." I bent and carefully applied pale pink to their lips, it was lighter than the burgundy that everyone else had, but the right shade for their little mouths.
"Gloves!" Margaret shouted at me. Hurriedly I donned the elbow-length white gloves. My bridesmaids were also wearing the same gloves, and all in all, we looked a very beautiful and elegant wedding party.
"Your families just left for church Miss Anne, it is twenty past ten and your cars should be here any minute, so I suggest you should wait downstairs, the men have all gone, there is no risk of anyone seeing you."
"Thankyou, come on ladies." Carefully we made our way down the four flights of stairs, the cars arrived only a second later and with blessings from all the staff, Margaret, myself, Grace and Esmerelda climbed in one car, while Mimi, Eve, Nora, Alice, and Ronnie got in the other.
We arrived at the church in plenty of time, where Margaret performed last- minute touch-ups to my dress, generally fussing over nothing. I could hear quiet organ music playing in the background as ushers seated the guests. True to my word, there was a reserved section for the members of the 4077th just behind my family's pew.
"Places!" Someone shouted and the wedding procession was put in order.. The men were all wearing identical suits, black, with a white shirt. They were wearing a burgundy waistcoat and a black tie, on top of that, a black tails jacket. Charles I knew would be wearing the same, except that his tie was a neckerchief and would be the same dark silk as his groomsmen and my bridesmaids.
Grace and Vincent were in front, and were going to scatter rose petals, then Margaret and Charles (Joan's husband). Behind them, the procession would go, Nora and George, Mimi and Edward, Eve and William, Juliet and Louis, Lily and Anthony, Veronica and Henry, and Alice and Philip. I was to follow, alone, with Esmerelda and Matthew to hold up my train.
Things were very nearly settled, and the march began to play when Hawkeye decided he had to do something, in a last kind gesture. There was a lot of noise and confusion, including Colonel Potter bellowing at him to behave, and the doors in front of us opened and Hawkeye ran out and stood beside me.
"I have Charles's permission to give you away, if you don't mind." He added sheepishly, with a hopeful grin.
"No, not at all." I said bemusedly. "You can go now." I nodded at the usher, who gave the word, and the wedding continued peacefully. In time, I arrived at the altar and Hawkeye handed me to Charles, who looked fabulous, and was smiling at me with love and pride.
Somehow, we got to the 'I dos' without a worry, no one objected to the union, my twins were silent, Mum didn't cry like we'd anticipated, and without even a slight interruption, we got to the rings, and then a kiss.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mr and Mrs Charles Emerson Winchester III!" The church burst out in applause as Charles and I walked back down the aisle to sign the registration. After a few photos, we walked down the steps of the church amidst a confetti whirlwind and I threw my bouquet to a surprised Margaret. Charles and I climbed back into a car, we were all progressing to the hotel for lunch. Charles and I had a hotel room booked for the evening as we weren't leaving for our honeymoon until the next morning, and we would be making the big exit in the evening, but only as far as the hotel.
"To Charles and Annabelle!" We'd been toasted more times than I could count already. Our lunch went on merrily, and we danced with everyone we could manage.
"You look just beautiful my sweet." Charles whispered to my hair as we danced.
"Thankyou Charlie dear, I must say, you look pretty fine your self." I replied with a gentle smile.
"I love you my sweet." Charles murmured.
"I love you too dearest." I replied with another gentle smile.
The reception at the Winchesters was a private one, only a few people had been invited, the wedding party, plus Joan, my side, BJ, Peggy and kids, Trapper, Colonel and Mrs Potter, Radar and Monica and Father Mulcahy, plus a few of Charles's and now my family. The kids were having a private meal in the sitting room, whilst the adults occupied the parlour, the only children in the parlour were my twins, as I was going to be away from them for three weeks on a honeymoon as it was and I didn't want to be away from them more than I could help beforehand.
"I'd like to say a few words." Charles said later, shortly before we left for the hotel. "I want to thank you all for coming, you've made it a wonderful evening. I also want to say to Annie, before you all, that my darling, I love you very much, you are the most beautiful person to have ever happened to me. I love you Annie my sweet." He kissed me at that point.
"I love you too Charles. Thankyou very much for coming, I've had a wonderful evening, and I love you all." I improvised as Charles pulled me to my feet.
"We have one more announcement before we leave." Charles called. "As you know, not everything goes to plan, hence, it is with much pride and love, that I announce that Anne and I shall be parents in May." A stunned clap broke out, Charles's family looking pleased, obviously hoping that I would give them the boy to carry on the Winchester title.
We left for our hotel after many goodbyes for everyone and kisses for my twins who I wouldn't see until February, and once we were safe, alone in the quiet of our room, we took a few minutes alone to hold each other and just revel in the peace and quiet and realise now, that we were married. After the initial shock wore off, a very intense and passionate night followed.
"No one makes me feel . . . feel like you." Charles gasped. Only a fire lit the room and we could hardly see each other, but what we could make out was enough, plus Charles and I knew each other's bodies so well we didn't need the added aid of full light.
I waited until the shock waves died down before I decided to respond, accusing Charles of perhaps listening to the dirty stories BJ and Hawkeye used to enjoy telling each other after a hard day of surgery and or drinking. He neither denied nor confirmed my accusations and surreptitiously changed the subject to our honeymoon.
Our honeymoon was in the Winchester Chateau, in France. His great- grandfather's brother had owned it as a young man and it had been passed down through his children. France was lovely, cold, but lovely and I found I was enjoying every minute of the holiday, with my new husband who spoiled me rotten.
In the middle of it, we spent three nights in a Paris hotel. Paris was beautiful; we visited the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower and spent our lunches, picnicking in the snow by the Seine. If I wasn't in love with France before, Paris sealed the deal, and Charles promised me we'd be back to spend our tenth wedding anniversary here, beside the Seine, where he gave me a beautiful sapphire necklace as a wedding present.
"Are you enjoying yourself Anne?" Charles queried one evening. I sat on the balcony, wearing a beautiful wool and fur coat that he bought me as a gift, one of many I had received and despite my modest protests, would continue receiving as long as I was his wife.
"I am Charlie dear, it's lovely. I can't bear to think of going home tomorrow."
"I thought you missed the twins terribly." He chided with a soft smile.
"Yes, I do, but I am having a lovely time." I replied sincerely. Ben and Felicity were now nearly eleven months old and I was missing them very much, they were staying with their father while I was away, so I was sure of their safety but I still missed them.
"Well, if you come to bed Annie my love, you'll fall asleep quickly and before you know it we'll be heading home to see your babies." Charles smiled.
"Charlie dear, you really are awkward in asking me to sleep with you." I turned away, studying the stars of the cold, clear night. I turned away only to hide the smile that formed immediately on my face.
"Come on inside." He repeated gently, deliberately ignoring my last comment. I sighed and stood up slowly, turning to face him, and wrapping my scarf a little tighter around my neck. He reached out and took my hand drawing me gently closer to him.
"I love you Charlie dear." I whispered as he wrapped his arms around me in a sweetly passionate kiss. Slowly we made our way into the room, not letting out lips part and eventually we tripped a little and landed on the settee. We paused to laugh a little at our own stupidity and then, continued kissing.
We returned to America where I picked up the twins from Portland, and, once again, left the Cove for Boston. I was five months pregnant and settling in to be Mrs Winchester, and wondering exactly how I was going to like it.
Christmas 1954
"Well, I am very glad you decided to stay." One of Charles's relatives apologised for her husband's behaviour.
"I'm glad too, I'm very happy here." I smiled across the room at my future husband. It was a large Christmas party, and there were many people here, a lot I'd met before, but many I didn't know. Charles caught the smile and came across the room, sliding an arm around my waist.
"I was just saying how wonderful it is that Annabelle decided to stay with you." She smiled. "I'm very happy that she decided to stay."
"Not as elated as I was when she said she would stay Aunt Elaine." Charles smiled.
"Of course not. I love your dress Annabelle, it's beautiful who made it?" If you were of any importance you got all your clothes made specially.
"Well I did." I admitted with a laugh. The dress wasn't overly fancy, just a slim, straight dress of pale mauve, hiding any pregnancy changes. My hair was pulled away from my face and amethyst earrings, a welcome-back gift from Nora, fell from my ears. The matching necklace a gift in the same sprit from Diana hung at my throat.
"You are very clever! Charles, you picked your wife very well." Elaine smiled.
"Thankyou Aunt Elaine." Charles and I said simultaneously, blushing. The party went on merrily, and everyone it seemed approved of me as a future Winchester now, despite the 8year difference, he was 36 while I was 28.
I lay against him that night, while he lazily stroked my hair. I felt more comfortable and safe than I had in a long time, in fact, the safest since I'd been divorced.
"Are you aware my darling, that it is only 12 days until we wed?" Charles murmured. I sighed a sleepy reply.
"Tired my love?" Charles asked with a soft laugh.
"Partied out you could say Charlie dear." I replied.
"Shh, sleep my sweet." Charles kissed my head, and soon, safe in his adoration, I fell asleep.
Not surprisingly, the 12 days to our wedding passed quickly, with all the massive preparations, it was a Winchester wedding and had to be big. My family also arrived just after New Year so they could see the wedding and they were staying with us. Chris, Jeremy and Joseph however stayed where they lived because they couldn't miss work.
The wedding day dawned early, as I was getting married at 11am. I had the entire fourth floor to myself and my wedding party, Margaret maid of honour, Charles's cousin Joan's daughters Juliet and Veronica, Nora, Alice, Lily, Mimi, Eve, and flowergirls Grace and Joan's daughter, Esmerelda. Mum and Rae chose not to be part of the group, wanting only to watch me get married.
On the third floor, Charles was busy with his groomsmen, Joan's son George, his cousins Edward, Henry and William, and his friends, Louis, Anthony, and Phillip. The best man was Joan's husband funnily enough named Charles. There were also two beautiful pageboys, in the form of Joan's youngest son, Vincent who was Grace's age and at my request Matthew, who was three months younger than Esmerelda.
The first floor, everything was a rush to get the house prepared for the reception, which was to be held there, after a massive wedding at the Presbyterian Church and lunch at a very expensive hotel somewhere. Clarissa and Giles, the housekeeper and the butler were scuttling everywhere, scullery maids and everyone in a mad rush. Diana, Charles II, Mum, Patrick and my twins, occupied the second floor, as they got ready.
"Let me see!" I demanded of my bridesmaids. Silk gowns the red-purple of wine, I knew would suit Margaret and my sisters, but I had been unsure of the colour on Juliet. Fortunately she had blonde hair, and shining blue eyes, and she too, looked wonderful. The dresses had short, capped sleeves and a scooped neckline. The bodices had been individually tailored to fit them, and complemented even Eve's chubby figure. The bodice finished in a v- line at the waist and from there a full skirt fell to the floor, moving softly when the wearer walked.
Being younger, Alice and Veronica, who were both about 14, had different dresses. They were made in a style more common to teenagers. Their dresses were cream, and the tight sleeves reached Alice and Ronnie's elbows, with a band of the burgundy at the bottom, the bodice was not so tightly fitted with burgundy buttons down the back, they had a small collar too, that was burgundy as well. From the waist, a very full, calf-length skirt fell in the shame shade as the other dresses, showing off both Alice and Ronnie's long, slim legs.
However, without a doubt, Grace and Esmerelda's dresses were the cutest. Basically the same as Alice and Ronnie's, except the skirt was cream, and shorter and had a burgundy sash around the middle. The sleeves were lace, and very short, bunched at the shoulders, there were a lot of frills and ruffles under the skirt, which made it almost stand out straight, but undeniably had both four-year-olds looking beautiful.
"You look wonderful!" I kissed them all. Their hair was all done the same, buns pulled straight back, with burgundy roses arranged in a semi-circle around the top half of the bun. Alice and Ronnie, with identical long blonde curls had their hair in a ponytail tied with a burgundy ribbon that hung to the bottom of their hair, between their shoulders. Mum had curled Grace's hair so it matched Esmerelda's, and they both had wreaths in their hair.
"It's very nearly time you got ready." Margaret warned.
"Oh, yes I suppose so." I laughed, and then giggled.
"Well, let us see the dress." Margaret ordered. I walked into the bride's private dressing room. On a mannequin, was my absolutely breathtaking dress. It was white, and had a tight silk bodice, with white flowers embroidered all over. It had a high neck, no sleeves and everything above the breasts was lace, so it was prettily revealing. I had no idea how many layers there were to the skirt, all I knew was there was a lot. The top layer was open in front; revealing layer after layer of beautiful lace, and around the edge of this layer, tiny little diamantes sparkled in the morning light. The dress laced up in the back, so it would complement my slim and slightly pregnant figure, there was also a long train that would sweep behind me when I walked.
"Wow!" Alice gasped breathlessly. "It's beautiful Annie."
"As beautiful as you my darling." I smiled at her. There was a knock at the door then, and Clarissa apologetically poked her head in.
"I'm terribly sorry to interrupt Miss Anne, but there is a visitor downstairs, I did tell him to go, but he requested that he see you. It's a Mr Pierce, will you see him?"
"Yes I will Clarissa, thankyou. Bring him up here, I can't go down in this." I was wearing a lace up slip that was in effect, a corset, I didn't need it, but it was part of the dress.
"Yes Miss." She bobbed a curtsey and disappeared.
"Someone find my robe, and I suggest you make yourselves scarce ladies, if you don't want him to see you before the wedding." I said as Margaret helped me into my robe. They disappeared into the library and in a minute or two Clarissa and Hawkeye reappeared.
"Thankyou Clarissa, call me in five minutes please." The maid nodded and left.
"Annie you look wonderful!" Hawkeye said, sincerely I could tell.
"What are you here for? I know you were invited to the wedding, but why have you come, here, to see me before the ceremony?" I asked.
"Because Anne, I wanted to let you know privately how happy I am for you and how I hope that everything goes well. I always knew he loved you Anne, and to that, I hope you're very happy. I may have been cold, uninterested, even rude about it, but I am happy for you, very happy, you have my blessing."
"Thankyou Hawkeye, I'm glad you feel that way." I smiled. "I really have to get ready, it's going to take a while to get into my dress, and I have yet to finish my hair." I had had my hair cut a little and it was currently in curlers just to get it all going the same way.
"Good luck, I'll see you at the church, do I sit with the bride or groom?"
"Tell him war buddy, the 4077th have their own spot near the front." I grinned, and accepted a warm hug. "Now get out of here. The twins are with Mum and Diana on the second floor if you want to see them." Clarissa came in then, announcing that we had been five minutes and Hawkeye left.
"Let's do the hair." Margaret slowly let out the curls, so they hung down my back. Then she scooped the top up with a comb and fastened a tiara that I had been asked to wear as it was a Winchester heirloom, in the hair, the rest fell freely down my back to my shoulder blades. It was a simple and pretty hairstyle, which suited the dress.
"Please Miss Anne, Mrs Winchester wants you to know that there is half an hour before you have to leave." Clarissa informed us quietly. "And if I may take the liberty to speak freely, your hair looks wonderful."
"Thankyou Clarissa," I smiled warmly at her.
"I think, that meant we'd better get you into a dress and made up." Margaret said with a smile. Carefully, and slowly I was dressed, taking pains not to muss my hair, which was easily redone, but currently looking perfect and on no guarantee to do so if restyled. Mimi a very talented girl then made everyone up, as the cars for the men arrived. Our cars were only a minute or two away. Margaret lastly fixed the veil, a huge thing, that trailed on the ground, and in front covered my face enough to leave my identity a mystery.
"Can I have lick stick too?" Grace asked, tugging gently on my skirt.
"Yes, and you too Esmerelda." I bent and carefully applied pale pink to their lips, it was lighter than the burgundy that everyone else had, but the right shade for their little mouths.
"Gloves!" Margaret shouted at me. Hurriedly I donned the elbow-length white gloves. My bridesmaids were also wearing the same gloves, and all in all, we looked a very beautiful and elegant wedding party.
"Your families just left for church Miss Anne, it is twenty past ten and your cars should be here any minute, so I suggest you should wait downstairs, the men have all gone, there is no risk of anyone seeing you."
"Thankyou, come on ladies." Carefully we made our way down the four flights of stairs, the cars arrived only a second later and with blessings from all the staff, Margaret, myself, Grace and Esmerelda climbed in one car, while Mimi, Eve, Nora, Alice, and Ronnie got in the other.
We arrived at the church in plenty of time, where Margaret performed last- minute touch-ups to my dress, generally fussing over nothing. I could hear quiet organ music playing in the background as ushers seated the guests. True to my word, there was a reserved section for the members of the 4077th just behind my family's pew.
"Places!" Someone shouted and the wedding procession was put in order.. The men were all wearing identical suits, black, with a white shirt. They were wearing a burgundy waistcoat and a black tie, on top of that, a black tails jacket. Charles I knew would be wearing the same, except that his tie was a neckerchief and would be the same dark silk as his groomsmen and my bridesmaids.
Grace and Vincent were in front, and were going to scatter rose petals, then Margaret and Charles (Joan's husband). Behind them, the procession would go, Nora and George, Mimi and Edward, Eve and William, Juliet and Louis, Lily and Anthony, Veronica and Henry, and Alice and Philip. I was to follow, alone, with Esmerelda and Matthew to hold up my train.
Things were very nearly settled, and the march began to play when Hawkeye decided he had to do something, in a last kind gesture. There was a lot of noise and confusion, including Colonel Potter bellowing at him to behave, and the doors in front of us opened and Hawkeye ran out and stood beside me.
"I have Charles's permission to give you away, if you don't mind." He added sheepishly, with a hopeful grin.
"No, not at all." I said bemusedly. "You can go now." I nodded at the usher, who gave the word, and the wedding continued peacefully. In time, I arrived at the altar and Hawkeye handed me to Charles, who looked fabulous, and was smiling at me with love and pride.
Somehow, we got to the 'I dos' without a worry, no one objected to the union, my twins were silent, Mum didn't cry like we'd anticipated, and without even a slight interruption, we got to the rings, and then a kiss.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mr and Mrs Charles Emerson Winchester III!" The church burst out in applause as Charles and I walked back down the aisle to sign the registration. After a few photos, we walked down the steps of the church amidst a confetti whirlwind and I threw my bouquet to a surprised Margaret. Charles and I climbed back into a car, we were all progressing to the hotel for lunch. Charles and I had a hotel room booked for the evening as we weren't leaving for our honeymoon until the next morning, and we would be making the big exit in the evening, but only as far as the hotel.
"To Charles and Annabelle!" We'd been toasted more times than I could count already. Our lunch went on merrily, and we danced with everyone we could manage.
"You look just beautiful my sweet." Charles whispered to my hair as we danced.
"Thankyou Charlie dear, I must say, you look pretty fine your self." I replied with a gentle smile.
"I love you my sweet." Charles murmured.
"I love you too dearest." I replied with another gentle smile.
The reception at the Winchesters was a private one, only a few people had been invited, the wedding party, plus Joan, my side, BJ, Peggy and kids, Trapper, Colonel and Mrs Potter, Radar and Monica and Father Mulcahy, plus a few of Charles's and now my family. The kids were having a private meal in the sitting room, whilst the adults occupied the parlour, the only children in the parlour were my twins, as I was going to be away from them for three weeks on a honeymoon as it was and I didn't want to be away from them more than I could help beforehand.
"I'd like to say a few words." Charles said later, shortly before we left for the hotel. "I want to thank you all for coming, you've made it a wonderful evening. I also want to say to Annie, before you all, that my darling, I love you very much, you are the most beautiful person to have ever happened to me. I love you Annie my sweet." He kissed me at that point.
"I love you too Charles. Thankyou very much for coming, I've had a wonderful evening, and I love you all." I improvised as Charles pulled me to my feet.
"We have one more announcement before we leave." Charles called. "As you know, not everything goes to plan, hence, it is with much pride and love, that I announce that Anne and I shall be parents in May." A stunned clap broke out, Charles's family looking pleased, obviously hoping that I would give them the boy to carry on the Winchester title.
We left for our hotel after many goodbyes for everyone and kisses for my twins who I wouldn't see until February, and once we were safe, alone in the quiet of our room, we took a few minutes alone to hold each other and just revel in the peace and quiet and realise now, that we were married. After the initial shock wore off, a very intense and passionate night followed.
"No one makes me feel . . . feel like you." Charles gasped. Only a fire lit the room and we could hardly see each other, but what we could make out was enough, plus Charles and I knew each other's bodies so well we didn't need the added aid of full light.
I waited until the shock waves died down before I decided to respond, accusing Charles of perhaps listening to the dirty stories BJ and Hawkeye used to enjoy telling each other after a hard day of surgery and or drinking. He neither denied nor confirmed my accusations and surreptitiously changed the subject to our honeymoon.
Our honeymoon was in the Winchester Chateau, in France. His great- grandfather's brother had owned it as a young man and it had been passed down through his children. France was lovely, cold, but lovely and I found I was enjoying every minute of the holiday, with my new husband who spoiled me rotten.
In the middle of it, we spent three nights in a Paris hotel. Paris was beautiful; we visited the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower and spent our lunches, picnicking in the snow by the Seine. If I wasn't in love with France before, Paris sealed the deal, and Charles promised me we'd be back to spend our tenth wedding anniversary here, beside the Seine, where he gave me a beautiful sapphire necklace as a wedding present.
"Are you enjoying yourself Anne?" Charles queried one evening. I sat on the balcony, wearing a beautiful wool and fur coat that he bought me as a gift, one of many I had received and despite my modest protests, would continue receiving as long as I was his wife.
"I am Charlie dear, it's lovely. I can't bear to think of going home tomorrow."
"I thought you missed the twins terribly." He chided with a soft smile.
"Yes, I do, but I am having a lovely time." I replied sincerely. Ben and Felicity were now nearly eleven months old and I was missing them very much, they were staying with their father while I was away, so I was sure of their safety but I still missed them.
"Well, if you come to bed Annie my love, you'll fall asleep quickly and before you know it we'll be heading home to see your babies." Charles smiled.
"Charlie dear, you really are awkward in asking me to sleep with you." I turned away, studying the stars of the cold, clear night. I turned away only to hide the smile that formed immediately on my face.
"Come on inside." He repeated gently, deliberately ignoring my last comment. I sighed and stood up slowly, turning to face him, and wrapping my scarf a little tighter around my neck. He reached out and took my hand drawing me gently closer to him.
"I love you Charlie dear." I whispered as he wrapped his arms around me in a sweetly passionate kiss. Slowly we made our way into the room, not letting out lips part and eventually we tripped a little and landed on the settee. We paused to laugh a little at our own stupidity and then, continued kissing.
We returned to America where I picked up the twins from Portland, and, once again, left the Cove for Boston. I was five months pregnant and settling in to be Mrs Winchester, and wondering exactly how I was going to like it.